Popular Malayalam actor Innocent, who is currently admitted to a private hospital, remains seriously ill and is receiving ECMO support, the hospital said in an announcement here on Saturday.
ECMO stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, which pumps and oxygenates the patient’s blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest.
He was admitted to hospital nearly two weeks ago with breathing problems.
The 75-year-old veteran comedian and actor was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and according to sources, Innocent’s health deteriorated after his fall.
Covid-19 has also hit him hard after testing positive three times in the past three years.
Innocent was the President of Malayalam Film Artists Association for many years.
The veteran producer-turned-actor has found his way easily into the hearts of all fans through his comedy and his Thrissur slang.
During a career spanning more than four decades, he appeared in some 750 films.
His popularity was so high that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) listed him as an independent candidate in the 2014 Chalakudy Lok Sabha elections, where he defeated Congressman PC Chacko.
However, he lost to Congressional leader Benny Behanan in defending his seat in 2019.
Innocent’s cancer returned in 2020, and he has starred in several films since his recovery.
